What do I do if I'm really sick/injured?

[Ageizm]

For the record I'm not sick, or sickly, but I've been wondering about this, and haven't found a relevant threat. I'll also add in that I'm a 35 year old (36 on the 9th of Jan) bachelor, and can't depend on anyone else to care for my pup in my current situation, which will be changing in a few months, when I go back home to NYC. I'm in Florida now b/c my grandmother passed away a few months ago, so i'm resolving her estate and my father who is diagnosed with dementia needs to be properly situated before I can go back home. I don't want to get into any more detail than that regarding my family situation.

For now, let's say I do get a bad cold or an injury and I'm just not able to do anything beyond feeding and letting Barack out to use the potty.

1. Would he "sense" that I'm not well? If yes what effect would it have on him?
2. Would he go nuts? Or behave accordingly?
3. What steps should I take to ensure he's ok, until I get better?

I may think of other questions, but for now this is what I'm wondering most, as if the situation arises I'd like to be prepared.

Thanks in advance.

[robk]

Its been my experience that dogs are sensitive to how you feel. When I am feeling under the weather, my dog is usually more subdued behaving. When I feel great, he feeds off of that energy and wants to go go go.

[Dotty]

Yes, they sense when you are unwell, the energy in the home goes down dramatically, they pick that up. All of mine have just napped.

Pets, like us, can't always have a perfect life, there are some days they are just going to have to get through a less then perfect day/week/month/year.

Through the life of a companion pet, there are going to be times where you work more, have different social demands, meet a significant other, they go through it all with you just fine!

If you are really worried, can you connect with a dog walker, or dog day care? It is always good to have a sitter on hand in an emergency.

[Lauri & The Gang]

All my dogs sense when I'm not feeling well. They tend to become quieter and more subdued.

But a young puppy might not be able to be too subdued for too long. If I was out for an extended period of time I would hire someone to come in and take the dogs outside to play every day.

[Kyleigh]

I agree with what others have posted, especially about the puppy stage ... I got a two-day migraine when Ky was about 6 months, and I was VERY grateful that my friend was able to come over and tire her out (twice a day ... what a friend!) It was only in the backyard with her two dogs, but it helped tremendously.

Now that Ky's older, if I need to sleep, I just invite her on the bed with me for a nap, and she enjoys that!

[Lilie]

You do the best you can. Your dog will forgive you. You utilize kennel time a bit more to ensure you get proper rest and your pup doesn't start entertaining themselves.

I hope you never find yourself in this situation. But if you do, things just seem to work out.

[Ageizm]

Thanks guys/gals...good to know that they seem to "get it" when we're not feeling so well... and keeping a reliable dog walker's number handy sounds perfect.

Once I'm back in NYC I'll have access to all of my friends/family, who surely would help if i needed it.

[doggiedad]

if you can't take care of your dog find someone
to come and take care of him. your dog is going
to be fine with you being sick.

[Freestep]

Develop a good relationship with your vet, local boarding kennels, and training centers. This will give you a support network should something arise--if you have a sudden and urgent need for boarding, long-term or otherwise, you should be able to reach out and have someone offer a solution. You will have to pay for it of course, but the better people in the professional pet community get to know you and your pup, the better the chances they're willing to help or stick their necks out for you.

I run a grooming salon and I do boarding for my regular returning clients--not for the general public. I have one client whose husband is very ill, and she is contstantly leaving town for doctors' appointments, hospital visits, etc. She has been a loyal, longtime client and I bend over backwards to accommodate her little dog when she has to leave, sometimes at the drop of a hat. Her schedule is always changing and sometimes she has to cancel last minute, or call me last minute for boarding. But because I have a good relationship with her and she's given me a lot of business, I do everything I can for her.

So, my advice would be to join the local "pet" community and make yourself known! Even volunteering at the local shelter or rescue can get you into contact with other pet lovers, many of whom do pet-sitting or boarding on the side.

[Ageizm]

That's a good idea Freestep! I'm kind of swamped with paper work here in Fl. (Grannies estate+my father's stuff) but once i get home i'll definitely look into some of your suggestions.